Off the Pitch

Champions League Round of 16 draw: Madrid derby, German giants clash and more

The Champions League last-16 draw threw up some mouth-watering matches with holders Real Madrid playing local rivals Atletico Madrid while Bayern Munich were drawn against Bundesliga title challengers Bayer Leverkusen on Friday.

Champions League draw bracket

Christian Pulisic calls out false reports of him wanting to leave Milan due to fight with manager

Christian Pulisic wasn’t happy about false reports of him seeking a summer departure from AC Milan and spoke publicly about the situation on Thursday.

Fans of Pulisic know that the American star is rather reserved when it comes to speaking out, so to see him so openly refute reports was surprising.

Luis Rubiales found guilty of sexual assault for World Cup kiss and is fined over $10,000

MADRID — Spain's High Court has found former soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent and fined him over 10,000 euros ($10,434) in a case which caused a nationwide furore.

It acquitted him of a charge of coercion, the court said on Thursday in a ruling seen by Reuters. Rubiales told Reuters he would appeal, saying: "I am going to keep fighting."

Lindsey Horan name change: USWNT captain to wear ‘Heaps’ on back of jersey

A Lindsey Horan name change might confuse fans initially in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, but have no fear United States women’s national team supporters because the captain is still here.

The USWNT leader and Lyon midfielder will debut her husband’s surname, “Heaps”, on the back of her jersey for the first time in this year’s SheBelieves Cup.

Lindsey Horan name change

Lindsey and her new husband, Tyler Heaps, tied the knot in December 2024. After playing 161 games with “Horan” on the back of her kit for the USWNT, she’ll now play under a new name.

Saudi Arabia to ban alcohol at stadiums, hotels and everywhere else for 2034 World Cup

The 2034 FIFA World Cup promises to be a sobering experience for soccer fans after Saudi Arabia announced there will be no alcohol available.

And not just at the stadiums, but also at the hotels and elsewhere throughout the nation, the Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom confirmed Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia World Cup alcohol ban

NOT GUILTY! Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr cleared of racial abuse incident with police officer

LONDON — Australia women's soccer captain Sam Kerr was on Tuesday found not guilty of racially abusing a British police officer after a dispute with a cab driver.

Kerr, who has Indian ancestry, called officer Stephen Lovell "stupid and white" after police were called following a drunken dispute with a cab driver in the early hours of January 30, 2023.

FIFA dramatically lower ticket prices for 2025 Club World Cup; U.S. fans not interested

In a surprising move, FIFA has significantly slashed ticket prices for this summer’s inaugural 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.

2025 Club World Cup ticket price drop: FIFA 'panicking' amid low fan interest

Reports from Mail Sport indicate that the cost of the cheapest seats for matches at the last-16 stage and beyond has been reduced by as much as $385, with some tickets for the semi-finals plummeting from an eye-watering $526 to just $140.

FIFA reveals that latest transfer window was most expensive winter window in history

Clubs worldwide spent a record $2.35 billion on international transfers in men's soccer in the January window, nearly a 58% increase from last year, world soccer's governing body FIFA said in a study published on Friday.

According to FIFA's International Transfer Snapshot, the amount is also 47.1% higher than the previous record set in January 2023 when there was a total outlay of $1.57 billion.

Matildas star Sam Kerr says she’s embarrassed by footage of her arguing with police officers

LONDON — Australia women's soccer captain Sam Kerr said she felt British police treated her differently because of the color of her skin, as she gave evidence in a London court on Wednesday while on trial accused of racially abusing a white police officer.

Kerr, who has Indian ancestry, told officer Stephen Lovell that "you guys are fucking stupid and white" after police were called following a drunken dispute with a cab driver in the early hours of Jan. 30, 2023.

Sam Kerr police officer video

Atlanta United break incoming MLS transfer record for Ivory Coast striker Emmanuel Latte Lath

Atlanta United announced the splash signing of speedy Ivory Coast striker Emmanuel Latte Lath on Tuesday.

Atlanta reportedly paid an MLS-record $22 million transfer fee to English second-tier side Middlesbrough FC, breaking the mark of $16.2 million that FC Cincinnati spent in November to acquire forward Kevin Denkey from Belgium's Cercle Brugge.

Atlanta United break MLS transfer record

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